Giant pumpkin

In 1900, Warnock's 400 lb (180 kg) pumpkin was exhibited at the Paris World's Fair, and won a bronze medal.

Growing giant pumpkins remains a mostly North American pursuit, especially in the Northeastern United States, although several recent record holders have been European.

Little formal scientific effort has gone into finding giant pumpkins, instead increasing yields have been selected by mostly ordinary growers.

Improved agricultural techniques, including pruning so that there is only one fruit per vine, maximizing soil tilth, and modern pest control are important factors.

Some competitors set up an IV-like cannula to deliver nutrient-rich fluids directly to the stem that feeds the growing fruit.

Pumpkins grown at high latitudes tend to be larger, as they have longer daylight hours and cooler, but shorter, summer seasons.

[3] Structurally, calculations by David Hu of Georgia Tech indicate that a perfect pumpkin could grow up to 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) without breaking.

This is caused by the volume of delivered fluids outpacing the growth rate and flexibility of the skin; much like a bursting balloon.

For example, the number of sieve tube elements in the sugar-conducting phloem in a stem limit the amount of resources available to grow the fruit.